An off-duty senior police officer is in a critical but stable condition in hospital after being shot a number of times at close range in Omagh last night.
A number of children are understood to have witnessed the brutal attack at a sports complex on the Killyclogher Road.
Gardaí said they have now “intensified patrolling” in border counties including Donegal and are cooperating with the PSNI.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service has confirmed it attended a scene in the Killyclogher area of Omagh.
A spokesperson said they received an emergency call just after 8pm and took one patient by ambulance to Altnagelvin Area Hospital.
PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne said he was “shocked and saddened by tonight’s events”.
He confirmed that the officer is in a “critical but stable” condition.
“We will relentlessly pursue those responsible. They have nothing to offer our community,” he said.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar condemned the attack, calling it a “grotesque act of attempted murder”.
“Our thoughts are with the injured officer, his family, colleagues and friends at this difficult time,” Mr Varadkar said.
“I call on anyone with information about it to share it with the PSNI.”
